Dear Eleanore Turkington:

At the corner of West Spring Street and Campbell Avenue is a very large birds’ next overhanging the street .It is disintegrating its heavy twigs onto such a busy walking and car traffic area. It should concern the Public Works safety division. The VA Medical Center where the tree is located was told the nest is a protected environmental issue.

Can anything be done before a heavy snow or rainfall dislodges it onto a car at the traffic light or a pedestrian walking that stretch? I’d appreciate your concern into the matter.

Dear Sara Murphy:

I contacted Beth Sabo, Public Works Director with this complaint. Sabo promised she would take a look at it to see if it was a nest that houses Monk parakeets.

Following an investigation, Sabo informed me that she had spoken with the Foreman of Ground Maintenance at the VA Hospital regarding the nest. Sabo also placed a call to Jenny Dixon and Julie Victoria of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Sabo requested a visit from DEP to review the situation and to see whether there is a way of eliminating this potential hazard that does not offend the wildlife community. As soon I get a solution to this nest, readers, I will pass it on to you.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

What’s the city’s stand on vendors on the street selling wares such as hot dogs, flowers, etc?

Dear Peter D:

Outside storage and sale of materials is prohibited unless a temporary permit is approved by the commission for a particular special event. Vendors usually receive permission from business owners including gas stations and “other high-visible sites” or a fee is charged from the vendor.

To protect shop owners and keep shoppers patronizing the downtown shopping district, we have a Code Enforcement Task Force that patrols for violations and issues a $100 citation per daily violation. Apparently, Mayor John Picard’s campaign is to combat blight and enhance quality of life. The violators have 10 days to pay or appeal a fine.

Gripe Vine Readers: Gripe Vine has been receiving complaints from readers who feel Thompson School is in dire need of some improvements. I invited a member of Dr. JoAnn Andrees’s office representing West Haven public schools, to visit Thompson School and evaluate the need of repairs as presented from Gripe Vine readers.

I have been informed by this office that there have been some changes and improvements made at Thompson School. Among them, the chain leading to the boiler room was replaced with a fence and the outside picnic tables were painted last fall. The front lawn was reseeded last fall and fertilized with an organic winterizer. Also, the school’s beautification Committee will be looking into replacing the shrubs.

If there are any other suggestions or improvements parents or students would like to make, contact Gripe Vine and I will notify school authorities.

Dear Eleanore Turkington:

I have read the article from a resident of an irate neighbor who wishes the both ends of Voss Road to remain closed as long as possible. There are several issues here to ponder.

It’s so true that having Voss Road closed to traffic will cut down on vehicle noise, air pollution and keep our residents from all non-resident traffic. This is true. So what if I have to drive several blocks and encounter the rush hour traffic just to get to work and arrive home safely? The gas prices allow residents to pay the additional cost and also add to our air pollution as we wait at each of the traffic lights for a chance to turn into either end of Edith Street or Edward’s street on an every day basis.

There is more traffic through the both leading streets since the only way in is from Railroad Avenue.

One time ago, Block watch was formed and one request was to apprehend speeders. It was ironic that some of the area residents who complained were also those who were caught speeding. I doubt that some of the residents will see as many vehicles using the “Cut Through” since so many of the shops and companies have since closed or relocated.

We all pay high taxes and should enjoy the same rights of having easy access to the highway and not have to wait in heavy traffic every day.

Also, when the snow plow has to plow the street, since it’s a dead end, some residents have to wait much longer for a plow to arrive and when the snow gets banked up at either end of Voss Road, the area residents aren’t there to shovel away a pathway from the banked snow.

If this road does get permanently closed, I hope all of the residents of Voss, Edward and Edith Street get a large tax break and get to enjoy the summer playground in the streets.

Dear James DiBiaso: